Heading the “mustn’t miss” portion of our weekend, ALARM cover artists Dub Trio return to Chicago. If we have enough time (or the ability to clone ourselves), we hope to also catch Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, Calexico, the Melvins, Big Business, and a number of other musical talents.
Thursday, November 20
Melvins, Big Business @ Reggie’s
When would music editor Jamie Ludwig ever miss an opportunity to see the Melvins? Big Business also crushes as a drum-and-bass two-piece, and it seems that these groups haven’t missed an opportunity to play together since the members of BB joined their powerful forebears.
Murder by Death, William Elliot Whitmore @ Metro
Minimalist singer/songwriter William Elliot Whitmore has an unmistakable voice. Armed with a banjo, a guitar, and his crackling, heartbreaking numbers, Whitmore fills one of the city’s prestigious medium-size venues with the alt-country/gothic/rock sound of Murder by Death (a group that is named after the underrated 1976 film of the same name).
Friday, November 21
Dub Trio @ Subterranean
Released in January, Another Sound is Dying was a unanimous selection by our editors for ALARM’s year-end list of favorites. Dub Trio’s first full-length release for Ipecac cranked the instrumentalists’ dub/rock amalgamations to a new level of heaviness, leaving jaw-dropped listeners in its wake. The group’s live performance is not to be missed. Brooklyn three-piece Goes Cube opens with a dose of über-heavy rock and roll.
Read music editor Jamie Ludwig’s cover story on Dub Trio.
Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers @ Double Door
Led by vocalist / harmonica player JD Wilkes, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers lay down a psychobilly punk sound that touches on alt-country, blues, and polka. Seeing the group should be a raucous good time, and we’re hoping to make it across the street from Subterranean to Double Door in time to catch the group’s set.
Calexico @ Metro
Maybe we can clone ourselves (twice) to be at all three of these shows. Southwestern folk group Calexico tours again in support of its beautiful new album, Carried to Dust.
Saturday, November 22
Alfonso Ponticelli, Goran Ivanovic, Andreas Kapsalis, Jamie Gallagher, and Katerina @ Katerina’s
A group of local talents gather for the Annual Dionysian Wine Fest at Katerina’s. Known separately for their takes on swinging Gypsy jazz, Mediterranean music, and classical guitar, the members of this group should create a stirring blend of influences.
Cleaning
Sometimes spring cleaning gets delayed by 6-8 months. Sometimes online editor Scott Morrow moves and doesn’t feel like unpacking his boxes.
Sunday, November 23
Dan Lippel with the International Contemporary Ensemble @ Uncommon Ground
Traveling from New York, experimental classical guitarist Dan Lippel joins the Chicago chapter of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) for some innovative chamber music. This show celebrates the release of a new ICE album on New Focus Recordings with a free performance.